How long does a house rewire take?
As a rough guide, a typical three-bed house takes around four to five working days for a full rewire — a day or two of first-fix (running new cables), time for plastering to make good, then second-fix (fitting sockets, switches and the consumer unit) and testing. Partial rewires are quicker; larger, occupied or harder-access homes take longer.
The three stages
A rewire runs in stages. First-fix is the disruptive part — lifting floorboards, chasing walls where needed and running the new cabling back to the board. Then any chased walls are plastered and given time to dry. Second-fix is fitting the sockets, switches, light fittings and the new consumer unit, followed by full testing and certification.
What changes the timescale
Size is the obvious one — more rooms and circuits take longer. Access matters too: an empty property with liftable floors is far quicker than an occupied home with solid floors and finished walls we have to work around. The spec (extra sockets, lighting, smart wiring) and whether plastering and making-good are included all add time.
Living in during a rewire
You can usually stay in the house for a rewire, though it's disruptive. We work room by room with dust sheets and try to keep at least one ring main live for the kettle and fridge where possible. We'll talk through the plan so you know what to expect each day.
Do I have to move out?
Usually not — most rewires are done with the household still living in. It's dusty and disruptive, so some people prefer to be out for the worst of it, but it's rarely essential.
How long is a partial rewire?
Much shorter — often a day or two — because only specific circuits are replaced rather than the whole installation. We scope it after a look.
Will the walls need replastering?
Where we chase into walls, those runs need making good. We can finish to plaster-ready, or arrange plastering — and where possible we route through voids and lift floorboards to keep wall damage to a minimum.